YEN Top 10 – Most Populated Local Authorities In Yorkshire

For centuries the population of Yorkshire remained relatively low, by today’s standards. There were also wars and the odd plague to keep the numbers in check. But the main factor in population growth was the Industrial Revolution. From 1851 people flooded into the cities from the countryside and abroad in ever increasing numbers to be consumed by the mills and foundries.

The population of our largest cities continues to grow and it is estimated that by 2037 the total population could reach 5.9 million for the Yorkshire and Humber region.Take a look at our top ten most populated local authorities to find out where these increases have occurred.

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#10 – Barnsley

2011 Population: 231,221

In the 2011 census the population of Barnsley was 231,221 and is made up of approximately 51% females and 49% males. The average age of people in Barnsley is 40, while the median age is higher at 41.

95.2% of people living in Barnsley were born in England. Other top answers for country of birth were 0.8% Scotland, 0.4% Wales, 0.2% Ireland, 0.2% Northern Ireland, 0.2% Zimbabwe, 0.1% India, 0.1% South Africa, 0.1% Iran, 0.1% China.

The religious make up of Barnsley is 68.5% Christian, 23.7% No religion, 0.4% Muslim, 0.1% Buddhist, 0.1% Hindu, 0.1% Sikh.

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#9 – Kingston upon Hull

2011 Population: 256,406

In the 2011 census the population of Kingston upon Hull was 256,406 and is made up of approximately 50% females and 50% males. The average age of people in Kingston upon Hull is 37, while the median age is lower at 36.

90.1% of people living in Kingston upon Hull were born in England. Other top answers for country of birth were 0.9% Scotland, 0.5% China, 0.3% Wales, 0.2% India, 0.2% Nigeria, 0.2% Northern Ireland, 0.2% Pakistan, 0.2% Zimbabwe, 0.2% Ireland.

The religious make up of Barnsley is 68.5% Christian, 23.7% No religion, 0.4% Muslim, 0.1% Buddhist, 0.1% Hindu, 0.1% Sikh.

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#8 – Rotherham

2011 Population: 257,280

In the 2011 census the population of Rotherham was 257,280 and is made up of approximately 51% females and 49% males. The average age of people in Rotherham is 40, while the median age is higher at 41.

93.5% of people living in Rotherham were born in England. Other top answers for country of birth were 1.1% Pakistan, 0.9% Scotland, 0.3% Wales, 0.3% Zimbabwe, 0.2% India, 0.2% Ireland, 0.1% Northern Ireland, 0.1% Iran, 0.1% South Africa.

The religious make up of Rotherham is 66.5% Christian, 22.2% No religion, 3.7% Muslim, 0.2% Hindu, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.1% Sikh.

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#7 – Doncaster

2011 Population: 302,402

In the 2011 census the population of Doncaster was 302,402 and is made up of approximately 51% females and 49% males. The average age of people in Doncaster is 40, while the median age is also 40.

91.4% of people living in Doncaster were born in England. Other top answers for country of birth were 1.6% Scotland, 0.5% Wales, 0.4% Pakistan, 0.3% Ireland, 0.3% India, 0.3% Northern Ireland, 0.1% Zimbabwe, 0.1% Hong Kong , 0.1% China.

The religious make up of Doncaster is 65.9% Christian, 24.0% No religion, 1.7% Muslim, 0.4% Sikh, 0.3% Hindu, 0.2% Buddhist.

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#6 – Wakefield

2011 Population: 325,837

In the 2011 census the population of Wakefield was 325,837 and is made up of approximately 51% females and 49% males. The average age of people in Wakefield is 40, while the median age is higher at 41.

92.8% of people living in Wakefield were born in England. Other top answers for country of birth were 1.2% Scotland, 0.6% Pakistan, 0.4% Wales, 0.3% India, 0.2% Northern Ireland, 0.2% Ireland, 0.2% Zimbabwe, 0.1% South Africa, 0.1% Philippines.

The religious make up of Wakefield is 66.4% Christian, 24.1% No religion, 2.0% Muslim, 0.3% Hindu, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.1% Sikh.

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#5 – East Riding of Yorkshire

2011 Population: 334,179
In the 2011 census the population of East Riding of Yorkshire was 334,179 and is made up of approximately 51% females and 49% males. The average age of people in East Riding of Yorkshire is 43, while the median age is higher at 45.

93.9% of people living in East Riding of Yorkshire were born in England. Other top answers for country of birth were 1.4% Scotland, 0.5% Wales, 0.3% Northern Ireland, 0.2% India, 0.2% Ireland, 0.1% South Africa, 0.1% United States, 0.1% Australia, 0.1% Hong Kong.

The religious make up of East Riding of Yorkshire is 68.0% Christian, 23.1% No religion, 0.4% Muslim, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.2% Hindu, 0.1% Jewish, 0.1% Sikh.

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#4 – Kirklees

2011 Population: 422,458
In the 2011 census the population of Kirklees was 422,458 and is made up of approximately 51% females and 49% males. The average age of people in Kirklees is 38, while the median age is also 38.

87.5% of people living in Kirklees were born in England. Other top answers for country of birth were 3.8% Pakistan, 1.6% India, 1.0% Scotland, 0.5% Ireland, 0.4% Wales, 0.3% Jamaica, 0.3% Northern Ireland, 0.2% North Africa, 0.2% Zimbabwe.

The religious make up of Kirklees is 53.4% Christian, 23.5% No religion, 14.5% Muslim, 0.8% Sikh, 0.4% Hindu, 0.2% Buddhist.

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#3 – Bradford

2011 Population: 522,452

In the 2011 census the population of Bradford was 522,452 and is made up of approximately 51% females and 49% males. The average age of people in Bradford is 36, while the median age is lower at 34.

81.4% of people living in Bradford were born in England. Other top answers for country of birth were 7.7% Pakistan, 1.2% India, 0.8% Scotland, 0.8% Bangladesh, 0.4% Ireland, 0.3% Wales, 0.3% Northern Ireland, 0.2% North Africa, 0.2% Zimbabwe.

The religious make up of Bradford is 45.9% Christian, 24.7% Muslim, 20.4% No religion, 1.0% Sikh, 0.9% Hindu, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.1% Jewish.

Of the 180,246 households in Bradford, 36.5% were married couples living together, 28% were one-person households, 10.8% were lone parents and 8.4% were co-habiting couples, following a similar trend to the rest of England. Bradford is also the first Yorkshire city to also appear in the top ten most populated UK cities overall, at number six.

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#2 – Sheffield

2011 Population: 552,698

In the 2011 census the population of Sheffield was 552,698 and is made up of approximately 51% females and 49% males. The average age of people in Sheffield is 38, while the median age is lower at 36.

86.7% of people living in Sheffield were born in England. Other top answers for country of birth were 1.6% Pakistan, 0.9% China, 0.8% Scotland, 0.7% India, 0.5% Wales, 0.4% Somalia, 0.3% Ireland, 0.3% Jamaica, 0.3% Zimbabwe.

The religious make up of Sheffield is 52.5% Christian, 30.7% No religion, 7.7% Muslim, 0.6% Hindu, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.2% Sikh, 0.1% Jewish, 0.1% Atheist.

Sheffield is known as the ‘Largest Village in England’ because of a combination of topographical isolation and demographic stability. It is relatively isolated, being cut off from other large cities by a ring of hills. Overall, Sheffield is the fifth most populated city in the UK

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#1 – Leeds

2011 Population: 751,485

In the 2011 census the population of Leeds was 751,485 and is made up of approximately 51% females and 49% males. The average age of people in Leeds is 38, while the median age is lower at 35.

86.2% of people living in Leeds were born in England. Other top answers for country of birth were 1.4% Scotland, 1.2% Pakistan, 1.1% India, 0.6% Ireland, 0.5% Wales, 0.5% Northern Ireland, 0.4% Zimbabwe, 0.3% China, 0.2% Iran.
The religious make up of Leeds is 55.9% Christian, 27.7% No religion, 5.4% Muslim, 1.2% Sikh, 0.9% Hindu, 0.9% Jewish, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.1% Agnostic.

Leeds is the third most populated city in the UK, ahead of Glasgow, Manchester and Bristol.

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And here’s the 10 most populated places for each county in Yorkshire

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All statistics have been sourced from the 2011 UK Census and provided by the Office for National Statistics